Micah Owings feels a new freedom when he takes the field these days, one that's difficult for him to express.

He imagines looking at a lineup card posted in the Syracuse Chiefs clubhouse each and every day of the spring and summer, and his mind races with the possibilities.

There's no more dwelling on pitch counts, or long stretches of inactivity broken up by mundane bullpen sessions. He appreciates the talent in his right arm, skill that was good enough to let him pitch in 138 Major League games the past six years.

Now, at age 30, he's primed to test the the potential of the rest of his body as he starts a career as an outfielder/ first baseman.

"For me, there's a freedom in it,'' Owings said Tuesday. "I'll put it this way. The risk (of the move) was worth me finding out what talent I have. I felt there was much more I had to provide to a team.'

The Chiefs reported to town Tuesday, eager to take the field for their first workout here but instead chased to an indoor facility by snow. Syracuse opens its season Thursday at Lehigh Valley, a clear and sunny location that manager Tony Beasley drove through from Virginia en route to NBT Bank Stadium.

"It got dark about 15 miles from Syracuse,'' Beasley said. "Fifteen miles. It's like a different world.''

It's certainly a new world for Owings one of the new players making his way around the Chiefs clubhouse. At a fit 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, he could easily pass for a linebacker. Through the first six years of his career he powered his way to a 32-33 record with Arizona, Cincinnati and San Diego, compiling a 4.86 ERA in 483 innings pitched.

He also swung a pretty helpful stick, hitting .283 with nine homers and 35 RBI in that stretch. Some of that was muscle memory from his college days Georgia Tech and Tulane, where he also played first base.

Even though Owings kept earning pro roster spots as a pitcher, he said he'd been thinking about trying a role as an every day player for a couple of years. Last season delivered him to the right type of crossroads to make that decision.

Elbow surgery cut his season short with the Padres after 9 2/3 innings. And a belief in his all-around ability plus faith in his spiritual side nudged him toward the change.

"It was more a faith-driven thing. I felt the Lord blessed me with a lot of talent. I wanted to give it a try,'' he said. "As a player, I don't want to ever take anything for granted. I feel fortunate and blessed. But I would say you can get comfortable in these roles. It is something different. At times, I felt handcuffed (pitching). This route, I'm, coming in every day.''

Owings said he sought early feedback from then Washington-outfielder Rick Ankiel, who made the move from pitcher to outfielder earlier in his career.

"He said right away, do it,'' Owings said. "We're two different players. I respect what he's done, no doubt. He's a real exciting player to watch. He's a pioneer. It opens the door for other guys who are chewing on it.''

Owings said he shopped himself strictly as a position player this winter, and when the Nationals signed him it was with the clear understanding that he'd be a first baseman/outfielder.

"He had a tremendous spring training,'' Beasley said. "Davey Johnson got him a lot of at-bats, which is crucial for us. I think he's transitioning really well.''

Beasley said Owings will still throw on the side to maintain a pitching rhythm, but the player thinks he'll be limiting that activity to outside the foul lines.

"I haven't shut the door on it,'' he said of pitching in a game again. "I'm open. I want to keep throwing sides. My main focus is playing every day for the first time in my career. I'm not going to limit what I can do. I just want to come in, play hard and enjoy playing the game.''